My hair is 3a, thin strands, and low porosity. I don't use any protein at all because I know my hair is protein sensitive. I think a little may help with curl definition and hold. Is that accurate? If so, does anyone have a reccomendation for a conditioner or spray in with light protein?

If the strands are thin then you're fine and you probably like or even need a lil' protein. Have you experimented with any? My strands are thick (coarse-haired) and even that doesn't mean my hair hates all protein. It likes lighter ones such as silk, vegetable, can do soy if it's further down the ingredient list. I did a three minute gelatin treatment that went okay, a mayo prepoo, etc.

The minimum amount of time you can leave it in is 3 minutes so I did that because I'm a scaredy cat.

Another coarse-haired user told me to keep things simple anytime she feels like she needs protein she just slathers her hair with mayonnaise for maybe 30 minutes before she gets in the shower. The mayonnaise gets absorbed and adds some perk to her curls. I tried it and it didn't dry my hair out at all. Worked for me.

Also you could try some mayonnaise, eggs and maybe some coconut or olive oil to help the protein penetrate the hair shaft. Mix that up and put it in your hair. Leave it for maybe 30 min-1 hour before you shower.

Yeah, it might've been your hair just OD'd on that particular conditioner and that particular protein. Don't worry though. You're bound to find one or two your hair likes.

Uh oh...what's a PT? Oh...protein treatment? Is that something drugstores sell or do you have to go to a salon or maybe Sally's beauty supply?! I'm a scardy cat, too, so I'm thinking I'll start with something with just a little protein. The keratin treatment sounds like a good option and perhaps I'll 'graduate' to the more intense stuff later.

My hair is fine and normal to low porosity. I have found it loves protein. I thought I was protein sensitive at first, but I'm starting to suspect the straw-like reaction I had was from other ingredients (panthenol in particular). What makes you think you are protein sensitive?

I know my hair needs protein when it isn't as curly. A good indication is when it starts to droop when it is wet. It will feel mushy when wet, and also a little mushy when dry. My hair will also start to be frizzier when it's dry, but feel really soft to the touch.

I second the gelatin PT. It's the first PT I tried and my hair loves it. I follow with a deep treatment, which means I put an emollient-rich conditioner in my hair and leave it in for 30-60 min.

Also, naturallycurly.com is one of the few sites that says low porosity hair should steer away from protein. Fine hair tends to love protein.

Flippacious,
Where do you buy the gelatin PT, or is it something you make at home?
I used to use an ouidad conditioner which has wheat protein in it. For several months I didn't understand why my hair was so dry-turns out it was just over proteined! Of course, I was using that conditioner ever 2-3 days, so I may have just been using it too often.

When my hair starts to look fly-away or frizzy when I know there is no reason for it to, I know it needs protein.

My hair really likes protein so I do protein treatments every couple of weeks but I also use a protein rich leave in regularly. One of my favourite leave ins is CJ's Curl Fix. Once I started using it as a leave in I found my hair never for to the point that it showed I needed a treatment.

You can buy packets of knox unflavored gelatin at the grocery store in the baking aisle. The little box is 4 packs and runs you $2. There's a bigger box with more packets that's $11 I believe but I suggest you make sure your hair likes gelatin first and go with the little box. Should be good for 4 PTs.

Thanks, everyone! I'm going to try a light protein to see if I can get some more definition. My hair keeps getting over moisturized and then lacks curl definition. If anyone has a keratin based protein treatment, please let me know! It sounds like gelatin or keratin are my best options to start.

I am going to do a protein treatment today...pretty sure my hair is both over conditioned and heat damaged. I got a haircut that I don't love a few months ago and since then I've been straightening my hair (I know!...Ugh!).

After a lot of online research and an almost complete loss of my ringlets, I realized my hair is most likely damaged and that, in an effort to repair the damage, I conditioned waaay too much. Plus, the gel I use daily is the Ouidad Moisture Lock gel which seems to be very moisturizing...I think it's just too much for my fine textured hair.